Defoe reminds Eriksson of quality

West Brom 1 Tottenham 1

Jermain Defoe gave England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson a timely reminder of his explosive talents ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.

With Everton star Wayne Rooney still on the sidelines with the foot injury he sustained during Euro 2004, it would appear the second striking role alongside Michael Owen is up for grabs.

Manchester United’s Alan Smith started up front with Owen in last week’s 3-0 romp over Ukraine at Newcastle’s St James’ Park, but was replaced by Defoe as Eriksson explored his options.

With Eriksson due to name his squad this weekend for the opening group matches against Austria and Poland early next month, Tottenham striker Defoe gave a command performance as both sides maintained their unbeaten starts to the season.

Defoe deservedly grabbed Spurs’ 34th-minute equaliser after Zoltan Gera had crowned his first start for West Brom with the opener inside three minutes.

Remarkably, Spurs manager Jacques Santini proved a law unto himself as he replaced the inspirational Defoe midway through the second half.

Although it allowed Robbie Keane his first action this season after recovering from an ankle ligament injury, beyond that the game ground to a stalemate.

The Albion, though, would appear to have found a new hero on whom to pin their survival hopes in the formidable form of Gera, the Hungary captain who was a class above against Scotland a week ago when he scored twice in a 3-0 triumph in Glasgow.

The £1.5m (€2.2m) summer capture from Ferencvaros had twice impressed as a substitute in the Baggies’ two season-opening 1-1 draws at Blackburn and at home to Aston Villa.

It came as no surprise when Megson handed Gera his first start and within minutes he was being acclaimed by the home faithful after giving Albion the lead.

Gera comfortably brought down Ricardo Scimeca’s incisive through ball, the 25-year-old then holding off the challenge of Noureddine Naybet before despatching a crisp 15-yard, right-foot shot beyond the outstretched grasp of Paul Robinson.

With the confidence of the opening goal behind them, and with Spurs clearly rattled, it could have been 2-0 on 12 minutes when Kanu – unsurprisingly booed by Spurs supporters due to his former allegiance to Arsenal – played through Geoff Horsfield.

Horsfield shrugged off Naybet’s attempted challenge to rob him of the ball and was able to drive in a shot from just inside the area, only for Ledley King to block.

A lethargic-looking Spurs failed to emerge from their slumber until midway through the first half, and it was Defoe who drove them on.

After Pedro Mendes had seen a 20-yard drive ricochet off Darren Purse and inches past Hoult’s right-hand post, it was Defoe who proceeded to lead Spurs’ charge.

In the 26th minute Defoe was given a clear run to the edge of the Albion area after the home side’s own Paul Robinson had given the ball away in midfield.

The England international then unleashed a powerful drive, but this time it deflected off Andy Johnson into the sidenetting.

Tottenham had stepped up a gear and Defoe was inches away again soon after when Hoult spilled a raking drive from Sean Davis.

With the ball at the mercy of Defoe, Hoult just managed to make amends by pushing the ball out of the striker’s path as he was primed to tap home from inside the six-yard box.

But in the 34th minute Albion could no longer repel Spurs and Defoe as the equaliser duly arrived, with Hoult clearly at fault.

Defoe initially played a one-two with Kanoute 10 yards outside the area before running on and firing a 20-yard drive through the legs of Thomas Gaardsoe.

It was a shot a full-stretch Hoult should at least have parried away, but the ball went under his gloves.

Kanu thought he had scored his first goal for Albion since his close-season move from Highbury seven minutes before the break.

After first stabbing a low Gera cross against the post, Robinson saved from Johnson on the rebound, and although Kanu hooked home, the linesman ruled the Nigerian offside.

But it was Spurs who ended the half the stronger, and they should have finished Albion off at the start of the second, only for Defoe to be denied by the woodwork soon after the restart as he cracked a thunderous effort against a post.

Megson’s side were then caught napping at the back moments later when Thimothee Atouba picked out an all-alone Davis in the area with a left-wing cross.

Despite the midfielder firing in an explosive shot, Hoult superbly tipped it over the bar as he attempted to atone for his first-half error which had brought Spurs level.

The game then died, in particular following the departure of likely matchwinner Defoe as Albion made it three 1-1 draws to start the season, while Spurs have five points from their three games under Santini.